Russia gives Italy sole adoption rights over gay-union ban

29/11/2013

'Because country refuses to recognize same-sex marriage'

Moscow, November 29 - Italy will be the only
country allowed to adopt children from Russia because it does
not recognize gay marriage, a Kremlin official said Friday.
"It turns out that Italy is currently the only country
whose citizens are able to adopt Russian children because, first
of all, this country refused to recognise same-sex marriage,
which, for its part, does not require Russia to change the
existing agreement, and, secondly, (the Italians) abide by the
terms of this treaty. That is all," Children Rights Commissioner
Pavel Astakhov told Russia's Interfax news agency.
"It is not our fault. (Other countries) should work harder
if you want international adoption to continue.
"Our priorities differ from yours. We generally prioritize
the adoption of children inside the country".
The official specified that the policy does not amount to
an outright ban on adoption in other countries.
Currently the United States is the only country banned from
adopting Russian children.
Italy's left-wing SEL party lashed out at Italian Premier
Enrico Letta, who wrapped up a summit with Russian President
Vladimir Putin and ministers from both governments in Trieste
Wednesday, where a number of accords were signed.
"Putin continues to astound with his homophobic
regurgitations, announcing that Russia will allow foreign
adoptions only to Italy because it's among the few European
countries not to recognize gay couples," said Cathy La Torre
from the national directorate of SEL, who called on Letta to
condemn Russia's adoption decision.
"If these are the results of the bilateral accords recently
stipulated between Italy and Russia, there's very little to be
happy with".